Campbell Newman's checklist for change as new LNP government gears for business

CAMPBELL Newman’s plan to transform Queensland begins in earnest today, with his new LNP Government to act on the cost of living.

The LNP leader will be sworn in today after his party’s crushing election win over Labor. Mr Newman says he wants to get to work immediately, implementing the promises that won over so many
Queenslanders on Saturday.

These include action on water, electricity and car registration costs to ease the burden on voters.

“I’ll be a premier (who is) going to be working for everyone and I’ll always be conscious of the incredible trust that’s been placed in the team’s hands,” he said.

After less than a year competing in the state arena, Campbell Newman will today complete his audacious political gamble and be sworn in as Queensland’s 38th Premier.

The extent of the LNP’s crushing election victory – which could leave the party with up to 78 of 89 seats – shocked even party insiders.

The emphatic defeat inflicted on Labor forced outgoing premierAnna Bligh yesterday to break her commitment to stay in Parliament, forcing a by-election in South Brisbane.

Mr Newman – who admitted he was “overwhelmed” by the result – wasted no time getting down to governing the state.

He met senior bureaucrats and several members of his new team at the Executive Building yesterday to outline his priorities, including the LNP’s 4 per cent jobless target.

“I’ll be a premier that’s going to be working for everyone and I’ll always be conscious of the incredible trust that’s been placed in the team’s hands,” Mr Newman said.

The Premier-elect will be sworn in today, along with his deputy, Jeff Seeney, who will take on the State Development portfolio and Tim Nicholls, who has been handed Treasury and the plum Trade portfolio.

Mr Newman plans major changes to department structures and indicated these would have to be decided before ministries were handed out. The state’s most senior bureaucrat, Department of Premier and
Cabinet director-general John Bradley, has been told he will no longer be required.

With such a massive partyroom to appease, the LNP leader will have to balance regional representation with combining new and existing talent in his team. As many as five shadow ministers may not get a portfolio in the LNP Government, with Mr Newman needing to make room for new members, including himself.

Former leader Lawrence Springborg is considered a certainty for a position to boost western Queensland’s representation, with a likely role in natural resources.

New faces touted as potential first-term ministers include Ian Walker, Deb Frecklington and David Crisafulli.

The size of the LNP victory is so profound that they will be, effectively, facing each other across the Parliament chamber.

Last night, Labor had only seven seats, but was ahead in three of four undecided electorates. Some electorates now held by the LNP are in Labor heartland areas such as Ipswich and have not been held by the Conservatives for generations.

Ms Bligh said it was obvious Queenslanders wanted her out and Labor could not rebuild while she was in Parliament.

“Queenslanders sent a very strong message that they want not only a change of government but they want a change of the political face in Queensland Parliament,” she said. “I don’t think Labor can effectively rebuild and present a new face while I am still sitting there.”

With Andrew Fraser ruling out a tilt for South Brisbane, senior party officials are trying to tempt defeated Greenslopes MP Cameron Dick to contest so he can assume the leadership. But South Brisbane is dominated by Labor’s Left, who would have to surrender it to Mr Dick’s AWU faction.

– Steven Wardill From: The Courier-Mail